Flip-flops, flip-flops, sandals: how do you say this footwear in Latin countries?

(CNN Spanish) – Latin America is diverse in many ways. We can find all kinds of climates, landscapes, foods, customs.

And, although many countries in the region have the Spanish language in common, we are also diverse in that. Not only do we have different accents, but even the same words change their meaning depending on the country where they are said.

Let’s take an example. If you are reading this, surely you know the following footwear:

✔️ We want to know: what do they call the footwear that appears in the image in your country?

Leave us your comment! pic.twitter.com/y7jWPPXWrZ

– CNN in Spanish (@CNNEE) October 12, 2021

We all know what it is, right? We have dressed them for a quiet day at home, to go shopping on the street, as an outfit for any given Sunday and for a beach vacation.

Let’s face it: although some consider it a horror to wear them with stockings, many people in the region use them that way for comfort, for being cold on the feet or simply for pleasure.

We received many responses from all over Latin America about the name of this shoe. There were even responses from Spain and Japan. And not only did messages arrive on Twitter, but also on Facebook and Instagram.

The variety of words is wide and some of the names are spoken only in certain parts of the country. (That’s right: even within individual countries the meaning changes.)

If you have always had the doubt about how it is said in other places, stay because our users have many answers:

What is it called in your country?

Colombia

• Flip flops
• Encompasses
• Trawlers
• Flip flops

In Colombia, flip flops, sandals, tres puntá, sandals, uncovered shoe, etc. The ones in the photo are sandals, a coastal tradition! ? pic.twitter.com/bbOrakS79s

– Ana C (@crendona) October 12, 2021

Venezuela

• Cholas
• Flip flops
• Hawaiian
• Quotes
• Flip flops
• Cocuizas

In Venezuela they are known by different names in the state or region. Some names are: flip-flops, cholas, sandals, quotes, cocuizas, I don’t know any other that surely exists

– Eleazar Ramos (@ramos_eleazar) October 12, 2021

Mexico

• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Huaraches

Sandals or flip-flops, but houndstooth because they have the cross on the chubby toe .. !! That here in Mexico ?? .. !! pic.twitter.com/0LTowpFmek

– ??????????? ॐ (@aKieLuZeMog) October 12, 2021

Peru

• Flip flops
• Sayonaras
• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Slaps

In Peru many of us call them “Sayonaras” there is no obvious reason, but it is believed that the manufacturers gave it the name by imitating the Japanese zori, we also call them “flip-flops” or “flip-flops”.

– Mariel ?❤️?? (@MarielDeLaCCC) October 12, 2021

Costa Rica

• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Slippers

In Costa Rica, flip flops, flip flops or sandals. Most used the first.

– Jason Rivera Ugarte (@JasonUgarte) October 12, 2021

chili

• Chalas
• Flip flops
• Hawaiian
• Condoritos
• Chalupas

In Chile they have several names: chalas, flip flops, sandals, Hawaiian, chalailas, maybe I’m missing some.

– Rodrigo Muйoz (@ r_a_m_i4) October 12, 2021

Ecuador

• Shoes
• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Flip flops

In my country Ecuador is known as slippers or sandals

– ceferino maple (@ArceSeferino) October 12, 2021

Guatemala

In Guatemala Chancletas and Caites depending a lot on the shape and type. There is a brand called suave chapina that literally every resident of Guatemala has at some point in their life ????

– Mario (@ MarioRu46178124) October 12, 2021

Paraguay

In Paraguay ?? Sneakers. There is a difference with Sandals, these are the ones that have bras behind the ankle and on the instep. As for women, Sandals can have heels of different heights.

– Romilio E. Sánchez G (@Romisan_SEN) October 12, 2021

The Savior

• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Yinas
• Flip flops

In El Salvador: yinas or flip flops

– Javier Najarro  (@prensasv) October 12, 2021

Bolivia

• Slippers
• Flip flops
• Hawaiian

On #bolivia, the finger slippers, are called #chinelas, and the most sophisticated, are called sandals, and are mostly used, without stockings, and in hot regions; #knowmoreofbolivia.

– Jonas Enoch (@JonasEnoch) October 12, 2021

Argentina

• Flip flops
• Shoes
• Flip flops
• Flip flops

Flip flops in Argentina and without socks, definitely

– Mariana_O (@ Mariana_8991) October 12, 2021

Brazil

• Chinelo
• Sandal
• Havaiana

Brazil: sandália, chinela, chinelo, havaianas …

– Sol Terra-Livre (@livre_terra) October 12, 2021

Panama

In Panama ?? “Sandals” to see more exact by the model that is seen. However it can also be “Flip Flops”

– Adrian Sánchez (@ AdrianS41892537) October 12, 2021

Honduras

• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Caite

In Honduras, they are called flip-flops or flip-flops when referring to both, but if it refers to one in particular, it is called a flip-flop. There is a version made of handmade leather called caite and it was even made of other materials, for example: pieces of car tires

– Oscar Mejía ? (@ Osmejia1) October 12, 2021

Cuba

The flip-flops in ??

– minerito⚒️ (@mineritoCU) October 12, 2021

Uruguay

• Flip flops
• Slippers
• Shoes

In Uruguay, flip flops, slippers or slippers … it depends on the custom I calculate ?‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/9nqUDOjYCv

– alejandro sosa (@ AsYankeeman77) October 12, 2021

Puerto Rico

Sandals or flip flops in Puerto Rico.

– Brenda L. Mari Hernández (@ BrendaLMariHer1) October 12, 2021

Dominican Republic

• Flip flops
• Flip flops
• Calisos

In the Dominican Republic ?? we call them “caliso” oh flip flop ? ‘and ? this we say “Tennis” in another country they call it sneakers!

– Jose Alberto (@jalbertobaez) October 12, 2021

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua slippers or hook slippers.

– Francisco X Chamorro (@xchamorrog) October 12, 2021

If you know of some other ways, follow us on our social networks and leave a comment.

Now, have you ever wondered how the next garment is called in Latin America? Take part in Instagram and comment on what it is called in your country.